I have been a fan of Dean Martin’s my whole life. Dino was present in The Scratchy 45’s, The Christmas Albums, mom and I used to watch his variety show, and his movies like the Matt Helm series were favorites.
Some people think that Frank Sinatra is the voice of the era but I disagree. If you listen to Frank sing and compare it to Dean Martin, you’ll find that Dean is so smooth in his delivery and presence. Franks range is small and often forced where Dino’s is effortless and confident. He exudes charisma.
I picked up a few Dean Martin compilation CD’s and found that in addition to a few childhood favorites like Everybody Loves Somebody, there were many more excellent songs. It is difficult to not get caught up in that romantic nostalgia of the late 1930’s and 1940’s.
One night somewhere around 2004 I had this dream of Dean Martin singing in one of those glamorous venues of days gone by. He was singing My Lady Loves To Dance but instead of the actual lyrics, we was singing AC/DC’s You Shook Me All Night Long. It was pretty funny to wake up to.
A guy I know named Phil who was also a Dino fan had several of the DVD’s of Dean’s Variety Show. He let me borrow them and I invited my mother over to watch them with me. It was an enjoyable time for both us. We spent a good part of the show pointing out who was dead and missing that kind of entertainment. Someday I’ll pick up that series. You can find numerous Greatest Hits and Best Of collections just about anywhere. Spend a few bucks and enjoy the King Of Cool.
My Lady Loves To Dance – OK, listen to this melody then imagine Dean singing the words to You Shook Me instead.
Sway – One of my all time favorite Dino tracks
Innamorata – Was the precursor to this that Lady and the Tramp song from My Musical Evolution Part 4?
That Certain Party
Standing On The Corner
You Belong To Me
I really could go on here for way too long so I’m going to stop and encourage you to take a serious listen to Dean Martin.
Hey pallie, likes Mr. Bill what a outstandin’ homagin’ of our most beloved Dino…and how timely as well as we are now very close to the 17th anniversary of our Dino’s departure on December 25, 1995. Never was, never will be anyone as cool as the King of Cool…oh, to return to the days when Dino walked the earth. Kow that your Dino-honorin’ reflections are bein’ shared this very day with all the pallies gathered ’round ilovedinomartin.